Turkey Jerky

You think YOU have a hard time getting enough protein while on the run? Think about being a pioneer coming across the plains in a Conestoga Wagon, with NO refrigeration. They utilized the age old methods of dehydrating meats. You may have tried jerkey before, but found it to be loaded with all sorts of nasty stuff. There now are some brands out there which cater to a more "health conscious" society, and those would include meats which are low in fat, natural (not chopped and reprocessed), and USDA inspected. 1/2 oz. contains 2 grams of carbohydrates, 7.5 grams of protein and .5 grams of fat. It can be chopped into smaller pieces and put into a zip lock bag with peanuts and dehydrated apples to make a single block snack or double or triple it to make a meal. You may wish to pack a toothpick in your bag as well. If you have to ask why, eat some jerky and you won't have to ask again!

This works for any meat, but I posted this in November '96 and "Turkey Jerky" has a melodic ring to it. Follow the same marinading instructions as you see in Tofu Jerky, but substitute the raw , 1/4" sliced meat for the tofu.

Convection ovens make terrific dehydrators, and it is even possible to do this in a conventional oven. I know you can do it outdoors as well (the Indians did!), but I honestly can say I will never try it. You are going for chewy, not crispy, and believe me, I have tried crispy and it is not at all delectable.

Other meats that would work well would include: